Committee: meaning, definitions and examples

A committee is typically used for a smaller group of people appointed for a specific task or to make decisions about certain issues within an organization or event. It's often temporary.

• The planning committee will meet next week to finalize the event details.
• She was appointed to the search committee for the new CEO.

A board is a group of individuals elected or appointed to oversee the activities of an organization, regularly making key decisions and setting policies. It's often used in the context of corporations or nonprofits.

• The board of directors will vote on the new budget proposal tomorrow.
• He has been a member of the school board for over five years.

A panel is a group of experts or professionals who discuss, advise on, or judge a particular matter. This is commonly used in academic, professional, or media contexts.

• The panel of judges will announce the winner of the competition.
• She was invited to be part of a panel discussing the future of technology.

A council is a group of people elected or appointed as an advisory or legislative body. This word is often used in the context of local government or certain organizations.

• The city council passed a new ordinance regulating parking.
• He chairs the academic council at the university.

A commission is a group of people officially charged with a particular function, often an investigation, policy study, or regulation. It's usually formed by a government or official body.

• The government formed a commission to investigate the environmental impact of the new project.
• She was named to the commission on healthcare reform.

Used for a group of people appointed for a specific function, typically consisting of members of a larger group. It often handles a subset of organizational tasks or issues.

• The finance committee will review the budget proposal.
• She was appointed to the fundraising committee.

Implies an official group assigned to a particular task by a government or other institution. It often deals with specific issues or investigations.

• The ethics commission is investigating the allegations.
• A special commission was formed to address the environmental crisis.

Typically denotes an assembly of people convened for advisory, deliberative, or legislative purposes, often within local government or organizations.

• The city council approved the new regulations.
• He was elected to the student council.

Applies to a group of experts or specialists gathered to discuss or decide on a particular issue; often used in contexts such as interviews or evaluations.

• The panel of judges selected the winning entry.
• She was invited to join the discussion panel at the conference.

Refers to a group of individuals, typically elected or appointed, who oversee the activities of an organization, such as a company or nonprofit.

• The board of directors will meet next week.
• He serves on the board of trustees.